Educarbon: science communication and education initiatives on soil organic matter and climate change

Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a fundamental role in climate regulation and in the sustainability of agroecosystems. However, its technical complexity often limits public understanding. This study presents the science communication strategies developed by Educarbon, the educational program of the Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON/USP), which aims to promote public awareness and scientific dissemination on soil and climate-related issues. The main initiative analyzed is the outreach event organized in celebration of World Soil Day. The educational approach was based on didactic transposition through six interactive stations designed to translate scientific concepts into accessible experiences. The stations addressed topics such as tactile interaction with soil, the relationship between soil and climate, soil biodiversity, soil fertility, and food security. All activities were aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event brought together 235 participants from different regions. Most attendees were from Piracicaba, São Paulo (92.1%), followed by São Paulo city (2.2%) and São Pedro (1.7%). Participants from the states of Piauí, Bahia, and Paraná were also represented. The audience showed a significant multigenerational profile, including children, adolescents, young adults, and adults between 31 and 50 years old (44.3%). Gender distribution was balanced, with 48.5% women and 51.5% men, reinforcing the inclusive nature of the initiative. These results highlight the importance of outreach initiatives in strengthening public understanding of SOM as a nature-based solution, while reinforcing the role of universities in addressing global climate change through science communication and environmental education.